Report on the 2016 AGM Kudos to Capt. Greg Gallant, Curator, The Prince Edward Island. Winner of the 2016 Falmouth Trophy

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1 Stanhope Times Past & Present Published by the Stanhope Historical Society November, 2016 Vol. 23, No. 11B Contents: Report on the 2016 AGM Kudos to Capt. Greg Gallant, Curator, The Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum Winner of the 2016 Falmouth Trophy Meeting of the Executive The Annual Meeting (AGM) is an important occasion for its members. It is convened for the purpose of the election of the Executive for the following year, presentation of reports and financial statements, and the transaction of other business. Following the business meeting, the members and visitors in attendance were treated to an outstanding presentation by Capt. Greg Gallant, Curator of The Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum. Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 1

2 Annual General Meeting The AGM and Program were held October 24, The AGM was convened by Vice President, Allen Stoolmiller. Following the reading and acceptance of reports, the proposed slate of officers for was moved and adopted without dissent. The Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum The Stanhope Historical Society was extremely fortunate in having been able to schedule the presentation by Capt. Greg Gallant, Curator of The Prince Edward Island Regiment (PEIR) Museum, so near Remembrance Day Executive Office Officers Past President Louis Watts President Allen Stoolmiller Vice President John Baird Secretary Rosemary Vigeant Treasurer Donna Thompson Directors Dorothy Johnston John MacDougall Lorna Thompson Charlotte Vriends Capt. Greg Gallant The incoming President thanked Louis Watts for his service and for the opportunity to have worked with him during the past year. Allen said that he was pleased with the composition of the new Executive and that he was looking forward to meeting with the group in the very near future. Stanhope Historical Society Once the date of Capt. Gallant s presentation was confirmed, an SHS member wrote the following comment: It will be an interesting meeting as I know that Capt. Greg Gallant is passionate about the museum. I have been there, and it is a treasure trove of information made very personal by the many donations of uniforms, medals and other items from veterans and their families. Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 2

3 The member quoted could not have been more accurate! Capt. Gallant provided a fascinating illustrated talk about the PEIR Museum. The photo of D Company from the neighbouring community of York, was taken on the Hardy farm. The Queen Charlotte Armoury is home to the Prince Edward Island Regiment Museum The Museum opened in June, Currently, the more than 5,000 artifacts are viewed by over 4,000 visitors per year. The PEIR Museum is located within the Queen Charlotte Armoury at 3 Haviland Street, Charlottetown. It is the only officially recognized Canadian Forces museum on Prince Edward Island. Capt. Gallant referenced a number of historic actions that occurred in the Stanhope area. For example, the NO#4 Company Queens County Regiment in 1876 and later the F or NO#6 Company, 82 nd Regiment Covehead in 1895 mustered on the John MacMillan Farm. Other photos bore well-known local names such as Allan and Watts. More than 7,000 persons enlisted from PEI, which had a population of only 85,000 at the time of the Great War. Capt. Gallant related the gripping tale of Major Wyle Allen, MC, of the 4 th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps. During the attack on Drocourt, Queant Line 2 in Septem- ber 1918, he exhibited conspicuous gallantry and initiative. Two hours after his Commander was wounded. Major Allen took command and kept his Company in action until they were relieved on the night of 4th/5th. Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 3

4 Cpl. Reuben N. Watts [shown on right], born in Grand Tracadie, was a member of the13th Battalion Black Watch. He won a medal at Passchendaele and suffered wounds in action at Canal du Nord. Cpl. Reuben Watts is interred in the York Cemetery. Capt. Gallant remained at Stanhope Place for conversation with grateful and appreciative SHS members during the social period which followed his formal presentation. Lloyd & Mary Gates with Capt. Gallant Capt. Gallant not only delivered a fascinating illustrated talk in which he referenced both sites and individuals from this area, but he brought and displayed an impressive array of banners depicting Canada s involvement in different aspects of the First World War, the uniform of a local citizen and trays of military artifacts. Pictured below are a few vintage Officer Badges and a Helmet Plate. SHS Secretary, Rosemary Vigeant, views some of the exhibits Islanders of all ages would benefit from a visit to the PEIR Museum for one cannot help but be impressed by the military contributions of Island residents around the world through the years. An appreciation of the hardships endured, including the sacrifice of time, physical and mental fitness and life itself, gives cause for thoughtful reflection. Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 4

5 The PEIR Museum is open year-round, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm and Thursday evenings 7 pm to 9 pm. Phone Capt Gallant s address is Greg.Gallant@forces.gc.ca Winner of the Falmouth Trophy for 2016 an article which appeared in the October 2015 issue of the Stanhope Times [pages 3-7]. A hyperlink to that issue of the newsletter is given below: om/uploads/2/4/4/9/ /february_ 2016.pdf The SHS had a Falmouth Trophy designed in 1993, incorporating the cairn likeness, and presented it to the Stanhope Golf and Country Club that same year. Site of the Falmouth Trophy On the Falmouth Trophy is an image of the stone cairn located at the Club entrance. The cairn was erected in 1970 to commenerate the 200 th Anniversary of the arrival of the ship, Falmouth, from Greenock, Scotland, on June 8, 1770 and to acknowledge the families who first settled Stanhope, Covehead and Brackley. The story of the building and dedication of the cairn was the topic of Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 5

6 The Falmouth Trophy is presented annually most improved golfer at Stanhope Golf and Country Club by the SHS. Club members vie for this honour each year, and Craig Yeo was that individual in Following some professional disappointments and the death of his first wife in 1818, James Yeo remarried in 1819 and immigrated to Port Hill, PEI. Yeo began working as superintendent of local lumbering gangs and helped with the management of the stores in the lumbering, shipbuilding, and mercantile business established by Thomas Burnard. In 1826, after Burnard s death, his Port Hill business was turned over to William Ellis, a master shipbuilder, who had migrated to PEI from the same English district as that of James Yeo. Presentation of the Falmouth Trophy to Craig Yeo by Allen Stoolmiller on October 23rd In a conversation with Craig s father, we learned that Craig is a direct descendent of James Yeo ( ), a man possessed of enormous physical and mental energy and business acumen. Craig s genetic heritage probably explains a comment overheard in the clubhouse before the awarding the trophy, I don t know Yeo well, but he can hit the ball a country mile! In that this is an historical society, we decided to take a look at the life of the first Yeo to have immigrated to the Island. By the 1830's James wielded considerable influence in Prince County and he acquired the Port Hill business from Ellis. In 1840 Yeo began shipbuilding on a large scale and soon became the greatest of the Island s shipbuilders. As such he played a vital part in the colony s economic development in the middle years of the century, when new ships built for sale in Britain were by far the most important Prince Edward Island export. He was responsible for the construction of at least 155 ships, from the Marina (1833) to the Magdala (completed just three days before his death in 1868). Yeo s unflagging energy and abilities saw him succeed in many business interests. He became a large-scale Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 6

7 exporter of agricultural products, including oats, potatoes, and livestock. In the 1830s and 1840s relatively little money was in circulation in the colony; and it was said that in this period Yeo was the only man in Prince County from whom settlers could obtain cash. He built up a role as financier until by the 1860s he was making large loans to the government. James Yeo could total figures quickly, and was able to make rapid assessments of the value of timber stands, crops, ships and their cargoes, and business enterprises. He personally supervised his operations, riding on horseback all over the Island -- often sleeping in the saddle. Yeo was first elected to the Island assembly in 1839, and he had a long political career through which he exerted great influence in Island politics because of his wealth and the power this brought him with his numerous debtors. Contemporaries consequently nicknamed him the Ledger Baron of Port Hill and the Driver of the Government. James Yeo s part in the development of shipbuilding, shipping, and the export business in Prince Edward Island in the mid-19th century was unique both in scale and in the breadth and complexity of his operations. If these snippets pique your curiosity here is a hyperlink to James Yeo s biograhy in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. It s indeed a fascinating read. es_9e.html Craig didn t have benefit of knowing his Port Hill ancestors as he grew up here on Covehead Road. He was introduced to golf by his father at about the age of 8 or 9, and he was an avid junior golfer. In his teen years other sports and extracurricular activities at Charlottetown Rural High School became competing interests. Following high school, Craig completed a program of study at the Atlantic Police Academy. In the years since his graduation, he has held both provincial (three years) and now federal government positions in Nova Scotia. This summer Craig travelled to and from the Island ostensibly to spend time with his girl friend. Both enjoyed golf memberships at the Stanhope Golf and Country Club this summer, and Craig took his return to the sport pretty seriously. He became the uncontested winner of the Falmouth Trophy for Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 7

8 While there is no urgency, Allen suggested that the Executive may wish to propose some revisions to the document. Any changes could only be effected at the time of an annual meeting and after proper notice. Craig Yeo winner of the 2016 Falmouth Trophy It is our understanding that Craig and his partner may soon be leaving the Island for Nova Scotia. If true, the Executive extends congratulations and best wishes to Craig and his partner. You will always be welcome at the Stanhope Golf and Country Club. Meeting of the Executive The first meeting of the new Executive was on November 14, A warm welcome was extended to the new members and copies of the original constitution were provided to them. The present Executive sees merit in continuing to meet at Stanhope Place although it appears that Wednesday evenings are favored over Monday. Unless ther is a pressing need to meet, the Executive has tentatively scheduled three additional meetings in Last year program meetings had been routinely publicized in the Stanhope Times, The Buzz, The Guardian, and on the CBC Community Call-In. Upon seeking other suggestions Members have provided a number of other valuable suggestions. The Executive urges everyone to keep and eye on the NSCC Cenotaph next spring. May showers may bring June flowers (and lots of them) if the work of a couple of Executive gardeners can be rewarded. Also, the cords on the flag poles will be replaced next May. There was recognition that the Society should make a greater effort to publicize our community presence and programming during Canada Day festivities at the NSCC or elsewhere in the community. Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 8

9 The LM Montgomery Remembrance Day Literary Contest was a success. The students whose work was deemed most meritorious were featured in the November #11A issue of the Stanhope Times although complications in securing photos of all the sudents did delay distribution of that issue of our newsletter. Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of the initial Executive meeting was the fact that members have tentatively identified the subject areas and potential presenters for programs for the entire year. Members of the Executive are currently working on a few projects, and progress regarding these will be reported periodically Executive The next meeting of the Executive is scheduled for February 8, We Welcome Your Ideas and Seek Your Help Your Executive continues to welcome your feedback and actively solicits your ideas and suggestions for future programs. The Executive perceives that distribution of our newsletter helps publicize our programs. Thus, if you know of organizations or individuals who might benefit or enjoy receiving our newsletters, please forward their addresses to the Executive so that they might be identified as a Friend of the Stanhope Historical Society and begin receiving our publications. Office Past President President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Directors Louis Watts Nominee(s) Allen Stoolmiller John Baird Rosemary Vigeant Donna Thompson Dorothy Johnston John MacDougall Lorna Thompson Charlotte Vriends At this time we would ask that such requests be forwarded to - s-rci@bellaliant.com We know that this address may seem unfamiliar; however, it is a reflection that the Executive is looking into alternatives for our presence on the Internet, including a dedicated website on which we could promote our organization more effectively, publicize Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 9

10 our projects by word and photographs, and archive our newsletters and other pertainent documents for easier public access. We will be revealing our thoughts in this regard in future newsletters. Meanwhile, we would like to know your opinion on this subject. Should you wish to direct comments or suggestions to the President, you may or phone Allen directly: 902) Deep Thoughts Here are a couple Christmas-related quotes - Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more! Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends. Margaret Thatcher Stanhope Historical Society Preserving the Past for the Sake of the Future Page 10